Prayer is a powerful practice. It’s your direct line of communication with God, where you can express your deepest thoughts and feelings to your caring Heavenly Father. While it’s important to pray daily for others – your family, friends, community, and world – praying for yourself is equally important. You can only care for others well if your own needs are met well. Praying for yourself is vital to access what you need each day. Praying for yourself is not an act of selfishness but an act of faith that shows God you’re relying on him to provide all you need. Here are five prayers to pray for yourself every day.
As you read these prayers, keep in mind that the Bible encourages you to bring your personal requests and concerns before God. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages you to pray about everything in your life: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Jesus often prayed for strength and guidance in his moments of human need, and he included personal prayer in the Lord’s Prayer – the example of prayer Jesus gave as a model to follow. Part of the Lord’s Prayer – in both Matthew 6:11 and Luke 11:3 – relates to praying for your daily needs, as Jesus teaches you to ask God to give you daily bread.
1. Prayer for Protection
Dear God, thank you for being my refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust, as Psalm 91:2 says. I ask for your protection over my life today. Please shield me from harm and danger. Guard my heart and mind from fear and anxiety, and fill me with your peace that surpasses all understanding. I pray for protection over my soul, my body, my home, and my loved ones. Keep us safe from accidents, illness, and any evil that may come our way. Please help me to walk in your ways, and recognize and respond to the spiritual battles around me. Equip me with the full armor of God that Ephesians chapter 6 describes so I can stand strong against evil. In times of trouble, remind me of your promise in Psalm 121:7-8: “The Lord will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
Please send your holy angels to surround me and my loved ones, providing a hedge of protection against all threats. Fill me with confidence in your sovereignty and love, knowing that you are in control and nothing can separate me from your love. Father, I pray for protection over my mind and spirit. Guard me against negative thoughts, doubts, and fears that seek to undermine my faith. Help me to take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ, as you call me to do in 2 Corinthians 10:5. Please help me notice your constant presence with me, and let that give me confidence in all situations. Thank you for your constant vigilance and care. I trust in your unfailing protection and provision, knowing that you are always with me. Thank you, my powerful God. Amen.
2. Prayer for Guidance
Dear God, I need your divine guidance to make the best decisions today and every day. Your Word says in James 1:5 that if anyone lacks wisdom, they should ask you, and you will give it generously to all. Thank you, God, and please give me the discernment I need to make choices that reflect your wisdom. Help me to trust in your good plans for my life, even when I don’t understand the path you have set before me. Let your Holy Spirit lead me to your truth in all situations, and help me apply that wisdom in any circumstances I face. In moments of uncertainty, please remind me that your ways are higher than my ways, and your thoughts are higher than my thoughts, as Isaiah 55:9 says. Guide my steps and help me not to lean on my own understanding, but in all my ways acknowledge you, so that you will make my paths straight, as Proverbs 3:5-6 promises.
God, please give me clarity in every situation I encounter. Open my eyes to see the opportunities you place before me and give me the courage to walk through the doors you open. Help me to recognize when you are speaking to me – whether through your Word, through prayer, or through the counsel of other faithful believers. Give me the patience to wait for your timing and the faith to trust in your plan. Father, I also pray for the strength to follow through on the guidance you give me. When my path is difficult and challenging, give me the perseverance to stay true to the direction in which you’re leading me to go. Help me to stay rooted in your wisdom daily. Let my decisions be a reflection of my faith in you, and may they bring glory to your name. I trust that I can always count on you to lead me according to your perfect will. Thank you, my wise God. Amen.
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3. Prayer for Strength
Dear God, there are times when I feel weak and weary. In those moments, I ask for your strength to face whatever comes my way. You remind me in Isaiah 41:10 that I should not fear because you are with me; you will strengthen and help me. Please fill me with your power and presence so I can stand firm in faith and not be shaken by the trials of life. Help me to rely on your strength rather than my own and to find courage in knowing that you are always by my side. In Joshua 1:9, you command me to be strong and courageous because you will be with me wherever I go. Let this promise give me the confidence to face each day with boldness. God, I pray for strength to overcome the challenges I’ll face today – whether they are physical obstacles, emotional struggles, or spiritual battles.
Please give me the strength I need in hard times. Help me to find rest and renewal in your presence, drawing from your infinite reservoir of strength. In times of distress and sorrow, comfort me with your peace. When I’m anxious, please calm my heart and mind. Help me to cast all my cares upon you, knowing that you care for me (1 Peter 5:7). Teach me to lean on you, to trust in your promises, and to find encouragement in your love. I trust in your rock-solid strength to sustain me in every situation. Thank you, my mighty God. Amen.
4. Prayer for Inspiration
Dear God, I want to experience inspiration from you today and every day of my life. You are the Creator of all things, and in your creation, I can learn more about you. As I spend time in nature, open my eyes to see what nature has to teach me about you. While I work today, inspire my thoughts and give me creative ideas. Help me to see the potential in every situation and to embrace opportunities for growth and improvement. Guide me in using my talents and abilities to their fullest. Father, please draw me closer to you through every spiritual practice I do today. Let the stories and teachings I read in the Bible come alive in my heart, guiding me and inspiring me to live according to your will.
Help me see a fresh perspective whenever I communicate with you in prayer and meditation. No matter what I’m doing today, please show me the wonder of your work around me. Let the sunrise inspire me with the promise of a new day, and the sunset remind me of your faithfulness. Help me to notice and appreciate everything wonderful that directs my attention to you – from a blooming flower to the laughter of a child – and to find inspiration in those moments. Inspire me to live today and every day with purpose and passion. Thank you, my awesome God. Amen.
5. Prayer for Purpose
Dear God, I seek your purpose for my life. You tell me in Jeremiah 29:11 that you know the plans you have for me, plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future. I trust that you have a unique plan and purpose for my life. Please help me discover and fulfill your purpose for me. Open doors of opportunity and close those that are not in line with your will. Give me the courage to step out in faith and the wisdom to follow where you lead me. Help me to use the gifts and talents you have given me to serve others as you lead me to do so. May my life be a testament to your love. God, when I’m struggling with doubt, remind me of your promise in Romans 8:28 that you work for the good of those who love you and have been called according to your purpose.
Father, please align my desires with your will. Help me to see the bigger picture and to understand how my life fits into your divine plan. Give me the patience to wait on your timing and the faith to trust in your provision. Thank you, my caring God. Amen.
Daily prayer is vital to strengthening your relationship with God. It’s not selfish to pray for yourself. It’s important to do so in order to keep growing spiritually. The more you do so, the more you’ll experience the wonder of God’s work in your life as God empowers you to live each day well. So, make it a priority every single day to pray for yourself – and enjoy communicating with your loving Heavenly Father!
Originally published Friday, 16 August 2024.
